Teaching

     If talking to children about sex is hard for most parents, it can be a real nail-biter for parents of kids who have Asperger Syndrome.  But if you've been dreading having "The Talk," some of the reasons going through your head may not be based in fact.

     Who do you believe? It’s an important question for you and your children on the autism spectrum. It’s hard enough to counsel kids about who to trust on a personal level. But how about all the information they have access to through the media and the Internet?

     Julie, my wife, just reminded me that it’s teacher appreciation week. 

     That makes me think of the teachers who Julie calls “angels.” 

     Does your child with Asperger Syndrome really want to be alone?

     I have Asperger Syndrome, and I enjoyed being alone when I was little, mostly when I was in my own world reading.  But I also craved company and wanted to be with people. 

     There’s a great Gary Larson Far Side cartoon about optimists and pessimists that shows four people, each separately looking at a glass with some water in it.

   It can take any teacher a while to figure out the strengths and challenges of children at the beginning of a school year.   A child with Asperger Syndrome, or a similar autism spectrum disorder, may not benefit from waiting to be figured out.

     Want to be more flexible?  Try yoga.  Want your child with Asperger Syndrome to be more mentally flexible? Try mental yoga.

   How do you motivate a child with Asperger Syndrome or autism?  

   What happened?

   How did we get to the point where political pundits are attacking America’s teachers?

I like colorful language.  Vivid word images can really help communicate a point.  But there’s a down side, and it’s one that those of us with Asperger Syndrome need to take to heart.